matsuda_2004.htm
Bulletin of Glaciological Research 21 (2004)
31-36
©Japanese Society of Snow and Ice
Glaciological observations on July 1st glacier in Qilian Mountains of west China during summer 2002
Yoshihiro MATSUDA1, Akiko SAKAI1, Koji FUJITA1, Masayoshi NAKAWO2, DUAN Keqin3, PU Jianchen3 and YAO Tandong3
1 Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
2 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto 602-0878, Japan
3 Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Science, Lanzhou 730000, China
Abstract
Meteorological and glaciological observations on the July 1st (Qiyi) glacier in the Qilian Mountains were carried out from June to September 2002. Meteorological stations were installed near the glacier terminus and on the glacier. Glacier surface albedo, ice temperature profile and mass balance were also observed. Meteorological conditions around the July 1st glacier seem to fluctuate at intervals of about two weeks. The albedo decreased to below 0.2 due to mud-like material (cryoconite) covering the glacier surface. Observed refrozen water was very scarce compared with the potential refrozen water calculated from ice temperature changes or the water running off from the glacier surface. The altitudinal profile of the mass balance suggests that the July 1st glacier may be shrinking.
